Separator



II/I.v s. MICCARIIIY.

SEFARATOR.

APPLICATION FILED IAN. I2. Ism.

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v sEnARAToR. APPLICATION FILED MN. l2 |918.

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` INVENTOR M '5. MAC C11/WHY K l Y,

Q \3, f ATToR NEY UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

snrAnAron.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 11, 1921.

Appucation filed January 12, 191s. semi No. 211,525.

To all fro/"tom t may concern;

Be it known that I, MARION S. MAC- GARTHY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Denver, in the county of Denver and State of Colorado, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvementsfin Separators, of which the following is a specification.

- This invention relates to apparatus for the separation of comminuted metalliferous ores and other? finely-divided materials,'by the process described in my application for patent, Serial Number, 211.5% filed synchronously with the Vpresent application.

It is the primary object ofthis invention to provide a combination of cooperative devices by which the separation process may .se continuously carried on and by whicha clean separation of refined concentrates from the extraneous matter with whichthey were which they come in contact by. friction or static attraction, while the particles of nonmetalliferous matter are more rounded and of greater bulk and therefore have a natural tendency to move downwardly along the same.

By imparting an upward movement to the inclined surface, the adhering concentrates are carried to an elevated point of discharge separate from that at which the downwardly moving gangue is delivered, and by incurving the surface longitudinally the process of separation is expedited and promoted.

The process is particularly adapted for recovering molybdenite from molybdeniferous ores, it having been observed that `the molybdenite crystals appear practically invariably in the form of flakes, whilethe other constituents of the ore are thicker` in proportion to their other dimensions and of more rounded form.

In the present invention the upwardly moving inclined surface is provided by the interior of a rotating cylinder; the materlal is continuously fed'intothe cylinder at one of its ends,the gangue isdischarged at its opposite end andthe concentrates are mechanically'removed "from the upwardly moving side of the surface at a determinate variable elevation. c

Means are provided to automatically sort the middlings from thek gangue inmaterial discharged through the end of the cylinder, and the cylinder is'mounted so that it may be'longitudinally tilted to any desired degree within determinate limits..

With the above objectsin View, my invention in its preferred forni, consists in the constructions andarrangementwof parts i shown in the accompanying drawings in the several views of which like reference characters designate corresponding parts and in which- Figure l is a longitudinal vertical section through the apparatus,

Fig. 2, a transverse section on the line 2-2, Fig. l,

Fig. 3, a transverse section along the line 3-3, Fig; 12

Fig. l, a transverse section taken on the line 4*/1, Fig. l, y

Fig. 5, a transversesection along the line 5h53, Fig. 1, and l Fig. 6, a fragmentary section taken along the line 6 6, Fig. 1; y y

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the reference characterQ'designates an openended cylinder vwhich is mounted for rotation about'a' substantially horizontal axis upon fourvsets of flanged wheels.

The cylinder has to this .end two circumferential tires l which-bear upon the treads of the wheels at oppositesides of the vertical plane passing through the axis of the cylinder, and the cylinder has furthermore a planed circumferential pulley-face 5 for the application of a belt 6 by which in the operation of the apparatus, itis rotated in the direction of the' arrow V"i inFig.A 2.'

The sets of wheels upon whichthe cylinder is lsupported are rotatablyy mounted on chairs 8 which rest upon a suitable foundation structure 9.

The wheels of each set are rotatably mounted at the upper end of an karm 10 which at its opposite end is pivotally connected with the respective chair to permit of an adjustment of the wheels in case of wear or faulty alinement of the parts.

The chairs olf the wheel-sets are also adjustable to vary the distance between them and thereby regulate the position of the axis of rotation 'ot' the cylinder with relation to the horizontal.

rEhe adjustment of the chairs may be effected by any convenient means such as the screws 12 shown in the drawings which are supported in threaded lugs 13 fastened to the foundation structure, and which have a swivel connection with the respective chairs.

The cylinder 2 has a lining` 14 made of wood or other suitable wear-resisting iii-aterial and its feed-end has an inwardly projecting flange 15 which defines a centra lfeedsopening 16.

The pulverized ore is led into this opening through the instrumentality of a 'reedscrew 1T which is mounted on a shait 1S extending in the axis of the cylinder, Vlhe outer end of the screw extends within. a stationary reed-box 19 provided with a hopper 2O into which the material to bertreated is fed through a superposcd chute 21.

The chute delivers the material to one side of the feed-screw as shown in Fig. 5 ot the drawings, and by changing the position of the chute to increase or decrease its distance from the screw, or its height above the same, the angle of repose oic the material deposited in the feed-box may be varied at will to regulate the rate at which it is carried into the cylinder.

The adjustment of the chute may be effected by ,any suitable mechanism such as that shown in Fig. 1 oi? the drawings in which the reference numeral 60 designates a rotary pinion which meshes with a rack 61` on the chute which is mounted for up and downward movement between guides G2.

The shaft 18 carries in addition to the feed-screw, a longer screw 22 which entends from a point adjacent the 'feed-end of the cylinder to a point of delivery beyond the opposite end thereof 'li'orthe discharge oind the concentrates as will hereinafter be more fully explained.

The two screws are inclosed by a tubular conduit 23 which is rotatably mounted in boxes 24 supported upon I-beams 25 beyond the ends oi the cylinder. rl`he ond oit the conduit 23 beyond the ieedend ot the iylinder is connected with an opening of the feed-box 19 and the joint between the conduit and the opening is sealed against the escape of air by means of a s'tufling box 26.

The conduit connects at its opposite end with a receiving chamber 27 which communicates `with a v downwardly extending delivery chute 2S. The joint between the Aconduit and the opening of the receiving chamber is likewise made' air-tight by a stuliing-box 29 and the chamber is by means of a pipe 3() connected with an exhaust pump of suitable construction for the removal of concentrates `from the interior surface of the cylinder as will herei'naiiter be more fully described.

A screen 31 placed between the chamber 27 and the pipe 30 which connects it with the suction opening of the exhaust pump, prevents the concentrates from being carried into the pump, and a rotary valve 32 fitted in a housing placed between the chamber and the delivery chute 2S closes the outlet of the chamber against communication with the atmosphere.

The vvalve 32 consists of a cylindrical body having equidistant peripheral pockets 34 which register intermittently with the outlet of the chamber and the upper end of the delivery chute and it is in the operation ot the apparatus continuously rotated by its connection with the shaft 18 through the intermediary of a sprocket-chain 35.

A disk 36 on the rotary conduit 53 placed exteriorly ot the feed-end of the cylinder, closes the iced-opening` 1G of the same around the conduit 23, by its lapping position with relation to the Hange 15. The corduit also carries a spout 37 which extends downwardly inside the-cylinder contiguous to the flange 15 and in connection with an opening in the' conduit through which the feed-screw discharges its load.

`The spout has at its lower end a narrow port 38 through which the material is delivered in close proximity to the inner circumferential surface ot the cylinder.

A partition 39 in the conduit separates its feed-portion from the compartment in which the delivery screw is contained, and a stuffing-box 40 on this partition prevents the escape of air around the shalt't 18.

The delivery compartment of the conduit which houses the screw 22 has a narrow slot in connection with a radially extending nozzle 41 the mouth ol' which is spaced from the inner circumferential surface oi? the cy inder and extends `along the entire length thereof.

A brush 42 which is fastened within lhc mouth o: the nozzle is composed oit sparse bristles which engage the surface of the cylinder i'or the purpose of dislodging the material adhering thereto.

In the operation oli the machine thc conduit 23 is held against rotation by a worm y43 which is mounted in bearings on the 'feedbox as best shown infFig. o, and. which meshes with a correspondingly toothed wheel 44 on the conduit 23.

Aliand-wheel 45 on the worm-shaft acili- ,tates its rotation whenever it -s desired to change the position of tlienozzle and delivery spout withinl the cylinder by rotation of the conduit.

tion of the partition with relation to the perpendicular passing through the axis of rotation of theI cylinder'.

A segmental crossarm 50 on the suspension arms of the hopper coperates with a clamp 51 on the adjacent I-beam 25 upon which the conduit is supported, to fix the hopper in its adjusted positions.

In the operation of the apparatus, the

cylinder revolves upon its rotary bearings in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2,-and the shaft is rotated in the same direction by its connection with a conveniently located motive agent through the intervention of a belt applied to a pulley 52 at one of its ends.

The finely divided ore or other material to be treated is continuously supplied to' the feed-box through the hopper 20 andis fed into the cylinder by the rotary movement of the feed-screw, in quantities which are `regulated by adjustment of the feed-chute 21 as hereinbefore explained.

The feed-screw carries the material from the feed-box into the spout 37 which delivers it in a thin stream in close proximity to the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder adjacent the feed-end thereof and thereby compels it to spread evenly along the entire length of the said surface at the lower portion of the same.

By the rotary movement of the cylinder the material is carried upwardly upon the upwardly moving side of its inner surface. During this upward movement the thin flaky particles of the finely divided material will adhere to the surface of the cylinder during a longer period than the less flaky or rounded particles of extraneous matter which roll downwardly at'velocities which are .in ratio to their different forms and sizes.

The material is in consequence stratified against the upwardly moving side of the cylinder according to the nature of its different particles, the aky particles beingr carried upwardly by frictional or static adherence to the surface beyond the middlings y which remain in a lower position above the gangue which rolls downwardly to the bottom portion of the cylinder.

The middlings and the gangue are gradually conducted toward the delivery end of the cylinder through which they arey separately discharged into the compartments of the hopper 45, it being understood that by the adjustment of this hopper, as hereinbefore explained, the position of the dividing wall between its compartments may be varied so as to effect a clean separation between the middlings and the gangue on the bottom of the cylinder.

The flaky particles which are carried farther upward by their adherence to the surface of the cylinder' are mechanically dislodged therefrom by the brush and the suction at the mouth of the nozzle 41. Immediately upon being detached from lthe cylindrical surface, the particles are drawn through the nozzle into the conduit and onto the delivery screw which carries them into the rchamber 27 from whichthey are discharged past the valve 32, into the chute 28. i

By this treatment of materials such as molybdenite ores which are characterized by the flaky form .of their valuable mineral constituents,-a clean separation ofthe refined concentrates from the gangue is efffected with an expenditure of but little mechanical energy and at a rate which is limited only by the amount `of a continuous 4feed and the carrying capacity of the ingenerated by the friction between the cylinn drical surface, the material moving downwardly thereon and the brush by which the adhering concentrates are removed, and that by tilting the cylinder by adjustment of the sets of wheels upon which it is supported,l

the ganguedischarge may be regulated in accordance with the nat-ure. of the material under treatment.

While I have shown and described the different parts of which my improved separating mechanism is composed, in the best and simplest form at present known to me,

iis

I desire it understood that variations in the face thereof, a feed-screw carrying material in said box to the point of discharge, a chute feeding material into the box and having an adjustment toregulate the discharge into the cylinder by varying the angle of repose of material in the box, and means for removing from said surface, matter carried upwardly by frictional adherence.

2. A separating apparatus comprising a rotary hollow cylinder open at one end for the admission of material and open at its opposite end for the discharge of gangue, means for removing from the kinterior circumferential surface of the cylinder, matter carried upwardly by frictional adherence, and means for dividing material discharged at the gangue-discharge end of the cylinder, according to the positions of its different constituents upon the upwardly moving side of said surface. i

3. A separating apparatus comprising a rotary hollow cylinder open at one end for the admission of material and open at its opposite end for the discharge of gangne, means for removing from the interior circumferential surface of the cylinder, matter carried upwardly by frictional adherence, and adjustable means for dividing material discharged at the gangue-discharge end of the cylinder, according `to the positions of its different constituents upon the upwardly moving side of said surface.

4L. A separating apparatus comprising a rotary hollow cylinder open at one end for the admission of material and open at its opposite end for the discharge of gangue, means for removing from the interior circnmferential surface of the cylinder. `matter carried upwardly by frictional adherencev`v and a hopper having a dividing wall to sep arate material discharged at the gangue-discharge end of the cylinder according to the positions of its different constituents upon the upwardly moving side of said surface, said hopper being adjustable to vary the elevation of the upper end of its dividing wall.

5. A separating apparatus comprising in combination a rotary hollow cylinder, a conduit divided into a feed-compartment discharging onto the interior surface of the cylinder and a delivery compartment discharging outside the same, a rotary shaft eX- tending through the conduit, feed-screws on said shaft within the compartments of the conduit, and a nozzle on the delivery-cornpartment of the conduit having an orifice extending lengthwise of and adjacent to the interior surface of the cylinder to remove therefrom matter carried upwardly by frictionaladherence.

6. A separating apparatus comprising in combination a rotary hollow cylinder, a conduit divided into a feed-compartment discharging onto the interior surface of the cylinde-r and a delivery-compartment discharging outside the same, a source of suction in connection with the delivery-compartmentof the conduit, and a nozzle on the delivery-compartment of the conduit having an orifice extending lengthwise or and adjacent to the interior surface of the cylinder to remove therefrom matter carried upwardly by frictional adherence.

7. A separating apparatus comprising in f combination a rotary hollow cylinder, a conduit divided into a feed-co1npartment discharging onto the interior surface ofthe cylinder and a delivery compartment discharging outside the same, and a nozzle on the delivery-compartment of the conduit havingA an orilice extending lengthwise of and adjacent to the interior surface of the cylinder to remove therefrom matter carried upwardly by frictional adherence, said conduitA being adjustable by rotation to vary the position of the nozzle within the cylinder. j

8. A separating apparatus comprising in combination, a rotary hollow cylinder of even and imperforate inner surface, having an opening for feeding material onto said surface, a conduit having a suction-opening and a discharge-openin0', a nozzle on the conduit having a mouth extending lengthwise of and in spaced relation to the surface above the horizontal plane of the axis of rotation of the cylinder, and a valve constantly closing the discharge opening of the conduit from the atmosphereand operating to effect the removal of material passing through the same.

In testimony whereof have afliXed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MARION S. MAOCARTHY. W'itnesses G. J. RoLLANDu'r, L. RHoi-xnns. 

